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Last Monday in May
memorial
day
United States
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i s t o r y
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Memorial Day is largely devoted to
venerating those who perished during their service and recognizing our
collective debt and mourning at their loss. Founded shortly following
the conclusion of the Civil War, at the repeated suggestion of a
pharmacist from Waterloo, New York that flowers and other commemorative
objects be brought to the graves of deceased soldiers. This
commemoration was established as Decoration Day, a time for recognizing
the losses resulting from the Civil War and became officially recognized
and widely adopted as of May 5, 1868. It is a time for the emotional
exploration of death for a cause and honoring the character and
commitment of all the soldiers who fell throughout this country's
distinguished military history, whether they were amateurs fighting for
their convictions during the Civil War or thoroughly trained military
operatives such as those who secured the victory of World War II.
Decoration Day was renamed Memorial Day in 1882, which extended the
remembrance to all American soldiers who gave their lives for their
country. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be observed on
the last Monday of May in 1971.
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r a d i t i o n s
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Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as
it is still alternately called, is commemorated around the country with
ceremonial observances, including placing the flags adorning all public
building and government offices at half-staff. There is an annual
gathering of veterans, citizens, and interested parties that takes place
over Memorial Day weekend at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington,
D.C. Speeches and presentations commending the Armed Forces, their role
in securing peace and national security, and the national debt of the
living to those that have died for those noble causes. If you know a
family that has lost someone in a war fought by the United States, take
Memorial Day as an opportunity to share your condolences for their loss
as well as your gratitude for that contribution. You may be familiar
with someone who has the distinction of being a veteran, for whom this
occasion also merits special recognition. Go to a local cemetery to
decorate the graves of soldiers with flowers, wreaths, and other
appropriate symbols of mourning. Or, delve into military history, become
aware of current military trends and possible threats, and learn about
wars of the past as part of your own Memorial Day observance.
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a c t s
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 Because
Memorial Day is a federal holiday and most Americans have a day off, the
three day weekend is also a time for enjoying the summer with barbeques,
picnics, family time, and brief trips out of town, for instance to go to
the beach, visit friends and relatives, or just to get away from it all.
see
some great cards to send for this holiday |
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